The Fresno County Board of Supervisors has started the process that would allow them to carry concealed weapons in county buildings.

The supervisors voted Tuesday to change a county ordinance specifying who can possess or discharge a firearm, to any peace officer and “sitting Members of the Board of Supervisors and their Assistants with a Concealed Carry Weapon license, and employees explicitly authorized by the Agricultural Commissioner to carry firearms in performance of their official duties.”

The proposed ordinance passed its first vote unanimously. A second hearing will take place November 3.

Council Looks to Boost Funding for Parks, Fire Dept. and Police Reform

The Fresno City Council approved more than 30 budget motions without a single “no” vote. A final vote on the $1.6 billion budget is expected on October 29.

Motions included $5 million for parks, $2.2 million to fund positions for the fire department, and $1 million to fund recommendations from the Commission on Police Reform.

The final CPR recommendations are expected to be voted on next Monday, October 26.

In June, the council voted to extend the prior year’s budget at Mayor Lee Brand’s request to evaluate how COVID-19 would effect the city’s finances. Despite predictions of losses of $30 million, the city actually increased revenue, thanks to $92 million from federal stimulus dollars and higher than expected tax revenue.

Also in Politics 101: 

• Will the city fund defense attorneys for those facing eviction?
• Two councilmen will share a communications director.
• County supervisors may be able to carry guns at county buildings.

Funding for Eviction Attorneys?

A motion from Nelson Esparza would explore the city providing attorneys for residents facing evictions. Several members of the public — including representatives from Faith in the Valley, and the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability — called for a plan.

“Under this pandemic, we’ve seen the pressure on folks like community with respect to their housing issues. If we can find a cost effective way to potentially prevent more homeless this year in Fresno, I think that’s a good thing,” Esparza told Politics 101.

There are no details of what such a plan would look like, where the money would come from and if CARES Act federal funds could be used.

Tyler Maxwell Notes

As Tyler Maxwell prepares to take his seat on the Fresno City Council in January, he got called out somewhat by his soon-to-be predecessor, councilman Paul Caprioglio.

During council budget debates, Caprioglio said he reached out to Maxwell to provide budget motions.

“I haven’t heard from him,” Caprioglio said.

Politics 101 reached out to Maxwell but did not receive a response by time of publication.

Maxwell also has an interesting job posting on his Facebook page. He is looking for a communications director to not only work for his office, but for that of District 7 councilman Nelson Esparza.

Maxwell is currently a staffer for Esparza, a position he will vacate when he joins his boss on the dais.